Adjust the thermostat. As TogetherWeSave.com demonstrates, lowering a thermostat in winter can save as much as $85 per year. During warmer months, raising the thermostat a few degrees can save money, too. Set the temperature between 78-80 degrees Fahrenheit, and you could save up to 8 percent on monthly cooling bills. Programmable thermostats make it easy to save by offering four pre-programming settings to regulate a home's temperature throughout the year.

Be a "fan-atic." While they don't replace air conditioners or heat pumps, fans move air and help you feel more comfortable. On milder days, fans can save as much as 60 percent on electric bills. Fans cool people, not rooms, so turn them off when you leave.

Regular maintenance is essential. Blue Grass Energy recommends that members have their HVAC systems serviced annually by a NATE (North American Technician Excellence)-certified technician. This HVAC professional will check your entire system to make sure it runs efficiently. This will help to extend the life of the system and save money.

Look for ENERGY STAR equipment. When it's time to replace your cooling system, TogetherWeSave.com recommends replacing it with an ENERGY STAR- qualified model. Doing so could reduce your energy costs by as much as 30 percent.